Spool construction



Dec. 19, 1967 E. PELSON 3,358,943

SPOOL CONS TRUCT ION Filed May 9, i966 INVENTOR, ERA/EST PEL SON United States Patent 3,358,943 SPOOL CONSTRUCTION Ernest Pelson, 41 S. Mountain Ave., Montclair, NJ. 07042 Filed May 9, 1966, Ser. No. 548,709 2 Claims. (Cl. 242-125.2)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a spool construction comprising a plurality of spool segments adapted to be secured into edge to edge relationship to define a whole spool in the assembled position, and the adjacent spool segments having formed in the ends thereof a notch for guiding the free end of the thread wound thereon to the split defined between the adjacent edges of the assembled spool segments so that the free end of the thread is frictionally secured between the adjacent edges of the assembled spool segments so as to prohibit unintentional unwinding or unravelling of the thread wound about the spool.

This invention relates to an improved spool construction, and more specifically, to an improved spool which is particularly adapted for receiving the windings of a strand material thereon.

Heretofore, domestic threads and/ or yarns have been conventionally wound on integrally constructed, i.e. one piece wooden spools. Such spools are defined by a body portion terminating in opposed laterally extending flange portions. To prohibit unravelling of the thread, the flange portions of the spool were provided with a slit or slot to receive the free end of the strand material thereon. The free end was thus frictionally secured by wedging it in the bottom of the slot. In this manner the thread was prohibited from unintentionally unraveling therefrom.

However, the disadvantage of such wooden spools was that the material, i.e. wood from which such spools were formed is relatively costly as compared to less expensive material such as plastics. Also, the slot or slit formed in the flange portions of the spool were easily broken off. When this occurred, the slit or slot for securing the ends of the thread therein was rendered ineffective. In such instances, the free end of the strand material was no longer secured and as a result would tend to unravel. When this occurred, the unraveled thread frequently entangled with the strands of other spools when the same are stored in a sewing basket and/ or the like. Such entanglement of thread only resulted in waste and a source of constant aggravation on the part of the housewife.

It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome the foregoing noted disadvantages, and to provide an improved spool which is of a construction whereby it can be readily formed of a plastic material or the like.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved spool which is constructed of a plurality of identically constructed segments.

It is another object to provide an improved spool formed of a plurality of similarly constructed spool segments wherein the respective segments can be inexpensively formed in multi-cavity molds.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved spool construction formed of a plurality of plastic segments, which in the assembled position thereof will positive-1y secure the free end of the strand material wound so as to prohibit the same from unintentionally unraveling therefrom.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved spool formed of a plurality of spool segments interfitted together in a manner to define a notch for guiding and receiving the free end of the strand material be "ice tween the adjacent edge portions of the interfitted spool segments and thereby cause the free end of the strand to be positively secured to prohibit therebetween the unintentional unraveling of the strand material therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spool formed of a plurality of similarly constructed spool segments, each identically formed to include means for interfittingly connecting the spool segments in the assembled position thereof.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages of this invention are attained by a spool for receiving the windings of a strand of material thereon which is formed of a plurality of spool segments in a manner and of a material which will greatly minimize the cost thereof. Each of the respective spool segments are substantially identical in form and each includes a body defining a portion of the core of the spool, and which terminate in opposed, laterally extending flange portions. The respective flanges are constructed so that a portion of its face is cut away adjacent the respective edges thereof to define in the assembled position of the spool segments, a notch for receiving and guiding the free end of the strand material between the contiguous edge portions of adjacent spool segments to positively secure therebetween the free end of the strand. With the free end of the thread thus secure between adjacent segments, unintentional unraveling of the strand material therefrom is prohibited.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision that the respective spool segments specifically constructed so that the same can be readily formed of a relatively inexpensive plastic by molding.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an improved spool formed of a plurality of identical spool segments so that the same can be formed in a single mold.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a spool formed of similarly constructed spool segments having complementary interfitting means for enabling any two segments to be frictionally secured together.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a spool formed of a plurality of similar spool segments each having opposed flange portions, and each of which is provided with cut out portions to define a notch for receiving and guiding the free end of the strand material wound thereon between the sides of adjacent joined segments to positively secure the free end of the strand therebetween.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and specification in which,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved spool construction of the present invention. 7

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the spool construction.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the spool of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a section view of the spool construction taken along line 4-4 on FIG. 2..

FIGURE 5 illustrates a sectional view of the spool construction of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the spool segments in a disconnected relationship.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a spool segment construction constructed in accordance with the instant invention.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 the improved spool construction 10 of the present invention. The spool construction 10 of the present invention is specifically formed so that the same may be formed of suitable moldable material, such as plastic. This is attained by constructing the spool of a plurality of spool segments 11, each of which is similar in con- 3, struction so that only a single mold is required. In this manner mold costs are reduced to a minimum. The respective spool segments 11 can thus be readily molded in a multi-cavity mold at a minimum of expense and with a maximum of ease.

Because the spool construction of this invention is formed of a plurality of segmental portions 11 which are arranged to be connected, the same is rendered readily susceptible to being manufactured of moldable material, e.g. plastic. In the illustrated embodiment the spool 10 is defined by a pair of molded spool segments 11. However, while the invention is disclosed as being formed of but a pair of spool segments 11, it Will be readily understood and appreciated that the spool may be formed of two or more identical segments. Accordingly, the spool may be formed of three, four or of more sections depending upon the angle subtended by the side or edges of each section. In the illustrated form of the invention, each spool segment comprises substantially one half or 180 of the whole spool. By making each segment of ninety degrees, the spool may be formed of four segments, etc.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 to 6, it is to be noted that each of the respective half sections 11 is identical in structure. That is, each half section 11 comprises a body portion 12 having its opposed ends terminating in opposed lateral flange sections 13, 14. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6, the opposed flange portions 13, 14 has a portion of its respective face cutaway adjacent the edge portions thereof to define a recess 15. Accordingly, the cut away or recessed portion 15 is defined by a wall 16 which extends radially of the flange between the inner and outer periphery thereof. The side wall 16 of the cut away or recess portion 15 is disposed substantially normal to the face of its respective flange 13, 14. The bottom wall 16A of the cut away or recess 15 is defined by a sloping or inclined surface that inclines upwardly from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the spool. The body portion 12 of the respective spool segments 11 are defined with parallel arcuate surface which form an exterior surface 17 and a concentrically disposed inner surface 18. The arrangement is such that in the assembled position the inner surface 18 of the segments define a hollow or central bore 19 of the spool.

Means are provided for interfit-tingly connecting the respective body sections 11 of the spool together so that the same define the whole spool. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the respective spool segments 11 are provided with complementary interlocking means comprising of a tongue 20 projecting outwardly from the one edge of the segment 11 and having a complementary recess 21 formed in the other edge.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be noted that in assemblying adjacent spool segments 11 together, that the recess 21 in one edge of a segment 11 is aligned with the tongue 20 projecting out from the opposite edge of adjacent spool segment. Accordingly, by snaping the corresponding tongues and the recess of adjacent spool segments together, the respective spool segments are secured together. The spool segments may be retained in assembled position with respect to one another either by allowing for frictional inter-engagement between the complementary tongue and recess and/or by the use of a suitable adhesive or bond disposed therebetween.

In the assembled position, the adjacent flange portions, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, are defined with opposed notches 15, the side wall portions 16 of which converge inwardly toward the inner periphery or center bore 19 of the spool 10. Also, the respective notches 15 are formed so that the bottom wall 16A thereof slopes upwardly from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the respective flanges. Accordingly, each of the notches 15 so formed define a means whereby the free end 22 of the strand material 23 wound about the body of the spool may be guided into and between the adjacent abuttin edge portions of the spool segments 11 which define a split therebetween. It will be noted that because of the fineness of the thread material, as for example ordinary sewing thread, that the free end 22 of such strand 23 can be readily fitted into the spacing between the contiguous edge portionsof the respective spool segments 11. Accordingly, the free end 22 of the strand material 23 is positively secured between the contiguous edge portions of the respective spool segments. In this manner, unintentional unraveling of the thread is prohibited. To unwind the strand from the spool, the free end 22 must be released from between the segments. After the desired amount of thread has been removed from the spool, the free end 22 is again positioned between the contiguous edge portions of the respective spool segments. Thus, when the spool is placed in a sewing basket or is stored, the thread does not unravel and/or intertangle with thread of adjacent spools stored in the same sewing basket.

Accordingly, the arrangement of the spool is such that the respective segments are identical in form and thus can be molded in a single mold. As each core segment is identical in form, any two can be interfittingly connected. Therefore, the need of any two respective spool segments can be fitted together. Consequently, the respective segments 11 greatly simplify the co t of manufacturing spools over the conventionally known wooden spools.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A spool for receiving the windings of a strand of material comprising,

(a) a plurality of spool segments each having an edge portion adapted to be connected into edge to edge relationship to define the whole spool, the adjacent edges of said segments in assembled position defining a split therebetween,

(b) each of said segments including a body portion defining a portion of the spool core,

(c) and a laterally extending flange connected to the opposed end portions of said body portion,

(d) said flange having a portion of its face cut away adjacent the edge thereof to define in the face portion of the flange in the assembled position of said spool segments a guiding notch converging toward the center of said spool for receiving and guiding the free end of the strand material wound about the body portion of said spool to said slit whereby the free end of the strand is secured between the adjacent edges of the assembled spool segments to prohibit unintentional unraveling of said material therefrom.

2. A spool for receiving the windings of strand material comprising,

(a) a pair of identically constructed spool segments,

(b) each segment including a body portion that defines the core of the spool in the assembled position of said pair of segments,

(c) a laterally extending flange segment connected to the opposed ends of each body segment,

(d) each of said opposed flanges having a portion of its respective face cut away adjacent the outer edges thereof,

(e) said cut away portion being defined by a radially extending wall disposed normal to the face of said flange and extending between the inner and outer peripheries of said flanges, said wall being angularly disposed relative to the edge of the respective spool segment to define in the assembled spool a notch converging toward the core of said spool,

(f) and a bottom wall of said notch sloping upwardly from the outer to inner periphery of said flanges,

(g) said bottom wall extending from the side wall to the edge of said flange,

(h) and means for interconnecting said pair of spool segments together,

(i) said latter means including a tongue formed in one edge of the respective half spool segments and a complementary slot formed in the other edge of the respective spool segments so that in the assembled position of said half spool segments the tongue of the respective spool segments is received in the complementary groove of the other spool segment, the adjacent edges of said spool segments in the assembled position defining a split therebetween, and

(j) whereby said respective cut away portion adjacent the edges of the respective flanges defining said notch receives and guides the free end of the strand mateof said spool segments to secure the free end of the strand therebetween to prohibit unintentional unwinding of the strand material therefrom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner. rial into the split defined between the adjacent edges 15 MAUTZ, Examiner- 

1. A SPOOL FOR RECEIVING THE WINDINGS OF A STRAND OF MATERIAL COMPRISING, (A) A PLURALITY OF SPOOL SEGMENTS EACH HAVING AN EDGE PORTION ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED INTO EDGE TO EDGE RELATIONSHIP TO DEFINE THE WHOLE SPOOL, THE ADJACENT EDGES OF SAID SEGMENTS IN ASSEMBLED POSITION DEFINING A SPLIT THEREBETWEEN, (B) EACH OF SAID SEGMENTS INCLUDING A BODY PORTION DEFINING A PORTION OF THE SPOOL CORE, (C) AND A LATERALLY EXTENDING FLANGE CONNECTED TO THE OPPOSED END PORTIONS OF SAID BODY PORTION, 